Christopher Wilkins
Summary
Dynamic food industry entrepreneur with a proven track record showcasing strategic thinking and team leadership. Excelled in concept development and layout design, negotiating with suppliers for quality materials, and fostering innovative solutions. Achieved significant improvements in operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, underpinned by a strong foundation in both hard and soft skills.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Founder/Owner
Mazzotti Specialty Restaurant & Bakery Consulting
07.2022 - Current
- Maintained relationships with installers and suppliers.
- Built strong relationships with clients by providing exceptional service and frequent communication throughout the entire design process.
- Conducted thorough site visits to gather accurate measurements and assess existing conditions for each unique project scope.
- Established strong relationships with suppliers to negotiate favorable terms on high-quality ingredients at competitive prices.
- Collaborated with chefs to create new menu items that catered to evolving consumer tastes and preferences.
- Implemented staff incentive programs to boost employee morale and job satisfaction, leading to improved retention rates.
Consulting Head Baker
Eastern Standard Hospitality
07.2023 - 06.2024
- Provided expert guidance on kitchen layout, materials selection, and appliance integration for cohesive designs.
- Established strong relationships with suppliers to negotiate favorable terms on high-quality ingredients at competitive prices.
- Identified operational bottlenecks through regular observation periods resulting in faster service times.
- Provided expert advice on local regulations and licensing requirements, ensuring full compliance with relevant laws.
Head Baker
Thomas Keller Restaurant Group
04.2022 - 10.2022
Co-Founder
Pistol & Pearl Restaurant Consulting
04.2020 - 04.2022
- Evaluated market trends to identify emerging opportunities and inform strategic decision making.
- Conducted target market research to scope out industry competition and identify advantageous trends.
- Secured lucrative partnerships by establishing strong relationships with key industry players, Including Apricot Lane, and Hyatt Hotels.
- Led restructuring of restaurant menu and interior design, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and profits.
- Sourced vendors, negotiated contracts, and managed efficient deliveries of high-quality supplies.
- Kept facility compliant with health codes, sanitation requirements and license regulations, alleviating potentially heavy fines.
Founder/Owner
Root Baking Co & Pizza Jeans
03.2015 - 01.2022
- Established a successful business by identifying market needs and developing innovative solutions.
- Led the strategic planning process to define business goals and ensure alignment across all departments.
- Built a positive organizational culture that fostered creativity, innovation, and employee engagement.
- Guided team members through periods of change by providing clear communication on expectations and objectives moving forward.
- Improved operational efficiency, adopting new technologies that automated routine tasks.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.
Education
Master of Arts - Communication & Culture
Indiana University, Bloomington
Bloomington, IN06-2011
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY06-2009
Skills
- Team leadership
- Strategic thinking
- Entrepreneurial and innovative
- Concept development
- Material selection
- Layout design
Accomplishments
- Two Time James Beard Nominee
- Bon Appetit Top 50 Best New Restaurants in America
- Founding Partner of Food Fight GA - Award Winning non-profit benefitting Atlanta farmers and restaurant workers.
Certification
.
- Food Protection Manager Certification - ServSafe or National Restaurant Association.
- HACCP Certification (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) - International HACCP Alliance.
Languages
Italian
Professional Working
Timeline
Consulting Head Baker
Eastern Standard Hospitality
07.2023 - 06.2024
Founder/Owner
Mazzotti Specialty Restaurant & Bakery Consulting
07.2022 - Current
Head Baker
Thomas Keller Restaurant Group
04.2022 - 10.2022
Co-Founder
Pistol & Pearl Restaurant Consulting
04.2020 - 04.2022
Founder/Owner
Root Baking Co & Pizza Jeans
03.2015 - 01.2022
Master of Arts - Communication & Culture
Indiana University, Bloomington
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of Rochester
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